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The Sir John Herschel Collection
The preparation of the print Calendar of the Correspondence of Sir John Herschel (Michael J. Crowe ed., David R. Dyck and James J. Kevin assoc. eds, Cambridge, England: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1998, viii + 828 pp) which was funded by the National Science Foundation, took ten years. It was accomplished by a team of seventeen professors, visiting scholars, graduate students, advanced undergraduates, and staff working at the University of Notre Dame.
The first online version of Calendar was created in 2009 by Dr Marvin Bolt and Steven Lucy, working at the Webster Institute of the Adler Planetarium, and it is that data that has now been reformatted for incorporation into Ɛpsilon.
Further information about Herschel, his correspondence, and the editorial method is available online here: http://historydb.adlerplanetarium.org/herschel/?p=intro
No texts of Herschel’s letters are currently available through Ɛpsilon.
Informs JH that a meteorological committee has been called. Discusses financial matters concerning the fixed observatories. Has written to [Thomas] Spring Rice.
Reports that the precept has been sent for putting the fixed magnetic observatories at St. Helena, the Cape, and Canada into execution, and that the instruments for three Indian observatories have been ordered. Writes that Humphrey Lloyd has made plans for the portable buildings and fixed stations. Discusses expenses of the observatories.
Reports his successful meeting with Hussey Vivian, whose full support of the fixed observatories is to be communicated to the R.S.L. Council by ES. Says that Vivian desires to read the memorials of the B.A.A.S. and the R.S.L. Will look into the changes in design of the magnetometers. Suggests budgets for the observatories.
Expresses great pleasure that the fixed observatories have received official approval and financial support. Approves of ES's cost estimates. Encloses copy of the B.A.A.S. memorial. Agrees to tell Humphrey Lloyd to order instruments as requested by ES.
Encloses a copy of financial estimates concerning the fixed observatories. Expects bills will be paid by the Treasury. Has conveyed Hussey Vivian's support of the project to the Council of the R.S.L. Clarifies that no vertical magnetometers have been or will be ordered until Humphrey Lloyd is satisfied with their design. Reports that the three officers have been selected for the project. Mentions praise from C. F. Gauss for the project.
Reports that the original cost estimate of the magnetometers was low and that other instruments have been ordered. Asks to borrow clocks from the R.S.L. and the R.A.S. Has written to Major Jarvis for observers for the East Indies observatories but expects none will be found.
Suggests changes in the memorial regarding fixed observatories.
Favors C. F. Gauss's theory of two magnetic poles, provided it satisfies the data. Office of the Artillery at Woolwich plans to 'furnish a set of instruments by private subscription.' Suggests a staff officer be appointed for the correspondence between observatories. Worries that the East Indies observatory will fail.
Thanks WS for offer of professorship of astronomy at Oxford, but declines it, partly because of other pursuits and health reasons, and considers his astronomical career terminated.
Encloses graph of C. F. Gauss's magnetic observations.
Offers JH professorship of astronomy at Oxford and hopes to see him at meeting of Meteorological Committee.
Concerns about equipment for fixed observatories, for which aid will come from B.A.A.S., and for [naval] expedition. Expresses vital importance of meteorological observatory on Van Diemen's Land.
Suggests that JH publish JH's portrait along with his book [Cape Results]. Wants JH to approach the Duke of Northumberland with this idea, and if he has no objections, RS will put the touched up plate at the Duke's disposal. Does not like the idea of selling prints of it.
Discusses arrangements for the printing of a portrait of JH in some copies of a forthcoming volume [JH's Cape Results].
Wants to know if JH has a larger telescope in operation; if so, will he confirm some observations. Asks JH to recommend an epoch.
Sends plans to construct barometer that he never built; invites JP to use the plans.
Asks JH if he has thought of compiling William Herschel's works.
Sends Michael Faraday's analysis of TM's meteorite specimen. Cape Observatory will receive theodolite and sidereal telescopes. Government orders Antarctic Magnetico-Explorative Expedition. JH's photography work results in unfixed images. Will report on TM's paper concerning the [N. L.] Lacaille's Stations.
Knows nothing about Kew Observatory, but has heard of the name of the present office holder there.
Finds that he is unable to attend the Council Meeting so would FB take the chair. Business to be brought before council. Ernesto Capocci has seen a spot on the sun.